Tandem Flights
The tandem flight is designed for inexperienced passengers as an Air experience flight or lesson. We can assure you that there is no better way
to experience the stunningly beautiful scenery of the Lake District.
You can soar with the birds along the ridges and high above the mountain tops
on a paragliding tandem flight.
A paragliding tandem flight costs £250, which includes daily BHPA membership, and typically lasts for around 30-40 minutes. You can purchase a voucher which is valid for 2 years from purchase date. Flights can also be filmed for £50 and the SD card will presented upon landing.
Simply contact Jocky on 07771783336 to arrange a day and, dependent on weather conditions and wind direction, we will arrange a time and place to meet you. The flight can even be incorporated into your day's walk out on the fells.
Jocky Sanderson is a world class pilot and instructor for over 30 years, and along-with his team of highly trained pilots, he'll take you to these new heights. Jocky was ranked third in the world and was the captain of the British paragliding team for many years. With a wealth of experience, you couldn't be in safer hands.
What is involved
We will only proceed with the flight if I assess that the conditions are safe and we will remain airborne for at least 20 minutes. However, passengers may be content with a calm, top-to-bottom flight that may take approximately 10 minutes, as they may have limited availability and are eager to experience flight regardless of its duration. Weather information and potential options are always provided, and the passenger is consulted on selecting the flight length that suits their preferences. Naturally if the conditions don’t permit a full length flight then you have the option to re-schedule.
The walk up to the launch site depends on the wind direction and strength on the day. We can fly in 0-15 MPH of wind coming up the face of the hill, which could be a small hill with a short walk up, or a high mountain take off, with a one hour walk in. The site selection will be explained on the day and days leading up to the flight because weather conditions change all the time and so can the site selection. If the passenger has limited fitness then shorter walk-ins can be chosen but it limits the number of sites available.
Passengers, their families, and friends are welcome walk to the launch site. Please approach the day with the mindset of a walk on the fells, ensuring that your group has appropriate attire, sustenance, water, and sun protection. I recommend wearing ankle-supportive boots or fell access trainers, provided that the passengers are comfortable running on undulating ground in them.
Passengers should possess sufficient fitness to walk for one hour up a hill and be capable of running a short distance on sloping and undulating ground. If the passenger has limited mobility, we offer alternative options such as buggies. The suggested age range for participants is between 14 and 60 years, although we can accommodate individuals outside of this range on an individual basis.
Launch areas are typically grassy, but they can occasionally be undulating with a moderate and potentially steep slope angle, depending on the specific launch area. Passengers are expected to be able to run down approximately 2-10 meters of undulating ground in order to take off.
Should a pencilled date be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, the passenger is entitled to reschedule a subsequent date with the two year p[erios. On the day of the flight, please contact or message at 09:30 on the same day to confirm that the flight is scheduled and provide details of the launch area and meeting area.
Passengers are welcome to film their own flight using their camera or phone, provided that the device is secured to a lanyard attached to themselves or the harness. The Gro-Pro footage option is available for tandem flights, with an additional cost of £50. This option captures footage from launch to landing, and a mini SD card is presented to the passenger upon completion of the flight.
ON A TYPICAL DAY...
Meet up
Meet in Keswick, or at the designated take off site, and get a safety brief from Jocky, before signing risk form insurance docs. I will normally send a What's app location or description of where the meeting and/or take off point will be.
Go to take off
Drive to the foot of the hill and walk up to the launch site. It can take up to an hour or more to walk up to the higher launch sites and there may not be paths, with undulating ground, so please be suitably dressed for a walk up a mountain. Once together with your pilot you will receive a safety and flight briefing, then you will be clipped into your harness and pre-flight checked.
Fly !
In a few running steps, you'll be airborne! Simply sit back and enjoy the view as you soar along the ridges and, if possible, up to cloud-base. You can use your hands and can take your own pictures and films if you wish, or just enjoy the view and chalk it down to a great memory. This is a learning experience, so if you wish to have a go at flying, just let us know. Also, with two tandem pilots, we can also fly couples at the same time, but this does depend on availability.
Land with a smile
The pilot will safely touch down on the top of the mountain, or in the fields below, and you can continue on your walk with a big smile and fond memories.
We also have specially designed buggies so we can fly folks who find it difficult to run. We believe everyone should benefit from the free skies.
Gift a Tandem
An ideal present for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas.. or just for fun !
If you wish to buy a tandem flight for someone as a gift, we email you a personalised invitation letter and "boarding pass" to your friend, on your behalf, which you can print out and insert int a card. They can use the voucher anytime the weather is suitable. All the details are on the boarding pass. Just let us know who it's for, from, and the reason for the gift.
Information
Dress, fitness and health
Similar to fell walking, ankle supportive boots and warm comfortable clothing.
When foot-launching, you must be able to run 10+ metres. If you have a heart condition or back problems then this sport is not advisable.
Please let us know if you have any other condition that you think may be relevant.
Weather Dependent
Paragliding is weather dependent, we cannot fly in wind speeds over 15 mph, in wet & rainy weather or in bad visibility for your safety.
If wind speeds are light, then we may glide down to land in a landing field at the bottom of the mountain and your flight could be shorter than 20 minutes. If so, you will be given the option of either having flight then or arranging another day.
Insurance Cover
Insurance is included and covers the passenger for third party and public liability.
Passengers will be talked through insurance details and given a form to sign prior to take-off.
If you wish for additional personal accident insurance, please contact us prior to your flight.
Limited Mobility
We have a specially designed wheel chair and the experience to take people with limited mobility flying.
Passengers who are registered disabled can get a scholarship from FLYABILITY.
More details here : www.flyability.org.uk